Polo_Tri-County_Press-02-27-2026

Podium finishers

Benesh

POLO TRI-COUNTY PRESS

POLO TRI-COUNTY PRESS

POLO TRI-COUNTY PRESS

TRI-COUNTY PRESS

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The Tri-County Press, Ogle County News and oglecountynews.com are a division of Shaw Media. Ogle County Newspapers also prints the Mt. Morris Times, Forreston Journal and Oregon Republican Reporter.

The TRI-COUNTY PRESS (USPS No. 638-530) is published weekly by B.F. Shaw Printing Co., Shaw Media. Periodical postage paid at Polo, Illinois. POSTMASTER Send address changes to: Shaw Media, P.O. Box 498, Sterling, IL 61081 All rights reserved. Copyright 2026

4 Ogle County papers, Ogle County Life to merge into 1 publication

Dear Readers, I’m writing to share information about changes to the slate of printed publications we offer our Ogle County readers.

While today marks the final day of publication of the Oregon Republican Reporter, Mt. Morris Times, Tri-County Press and Forreston Journal, it does not mean the end of our coverage of those communities.

On Wednesday, March 4, the news from those towns will be merged into our Ogle County Life publication, which, instead of publishing on Mondays, will publish on Wednesdays going forward.

Why the changes?

They stem from our purchase of the Rochelle News Leader and Ogle County Life last fall after their owner closed the

FROM THE EDITOR

Charlene Bielema

doors. It was a purchase that, when added to the four Ogle County publications we already have, pushed our number of Ogle County newspapers to six.

Ogle County Life, as its name suggests, contains news from around the county, and its coverage often overlapped with the four Friday newspapers covering Mt. Morris, Oregon, Polo and Forreston.

This change will streamline those Ogle County print operations as we –and the newspaper industry as a whole – respond to ever-changing reader hab-

its while continuing to invest in reliable local reporting, timely updates and expanded digital access. Our continually updated website and up-to-the-minute coverage can be found at shawlocal. com/ogle-county/; our Rochelle News Leader will be unaffected by this change.

The news industry continues to evolve, but our purpose remains the same: serving our readers in Ogle, Whiteside and Lee counties with local journalism – both online and in print –by focusing on local government, education, public safety, business, health, community events and sports.

If you have any questions about this change, please call customer service at 866-979-1053 or email customer-support@shawmedia.com.

–

Charlene Bielema, editor

Oregon church hosts Love Drive for food pantries

SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com

The Oregon Church of God Mission Committee hosted a Love Drive to collect cleaning supplies, personal hygiene items, and paper products to be donated to Lifeline in Oregon and Loaves & Fishes in Mt. Morris.

In addition to the items collected, each organization received $500 to assist with purchasing other much-needed items.

Lifeline has been serving the Oregon, Chana and Grand Detour areas since 1982, and serves about 250 families per month. The most requested item is meat. An item that would be greatly appreciated but is rarely donated is dog and cat food.

In addition to the food pantry, Lifeline also has a clothing pantry. Those interested in volunteering should call 815-7327891 or stop by the pantry in Conover Square in Oregon.

Loaves and Fishes has been serving the Mt. Morris and Leaf River area since 2008, and serves approximately 140-150 families per month. The most requested

CORRECTIONS

items are the basics like milk, eggs and bread.

Items rarely donated but greatly appreciated are diapers and wipes (both baby and adult), Hamburger Helper and condiments (ketchup, pickles and mustard).

Accuracy is important to the Polo Tri-County Press. Please call errors to our attention by email at news@oglecountynews.com.

To volunteer at Loaves & Fishes, call 815-613-8776 to talk to the volunteer coordinator.

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Oregon family creating lounge for area teens

Downtown venue to open in mid to late March

By EARLEEN HINTON

Shaw Local News Network correspondent

Teenagers will soon have a new, safe place to hang out with their peers thanks to the efforts of an Oregon family.

Paula and Derrick Porter are transforming a vacant downtown Oregon business into the After Teen Lounge –slated to open next month.

“We just want to create a place for kids to come to,” said Paula, mother of seven children and substitute teacher for the Oregon School District. “We want to create something fun for them to do and keep it reasonable for the kids. I’ve talked to a lot of teenagers to see what they would want.”

The couple is in the process of refitting the former Rustic Ridge axe-throwing venue at 117 N. Fourth St. into a comfy, fun and safe place where kids in grades 7-12 can meet up to play games, enjoy music, talk or study.

When completed, the 4,000-squarefoot space will include a dance area, virtual reality room, concession area and resource room where kids have access to school supplies and printers.

Donated furniture, including sofas, chairs and tables, sits inside the venue for now, with Paula hoping to add more before the opening in mid to late March. Also inside the main space is a 360-degree photo booth, DJ stage, high-speed internet access and dance floor.

Planned additions include a virtual reality room, video gaming station, concessions, artwork by students and security cameras. Donations of labor and items are being accepted.

“We will have lots of areas for the kids,” Paula said. “We have asked the kids what they would like, and we’ve had a lot of suggestions.”

The lounge will be open after school – 3 to 8 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 3 to 9 p.m. Friday. On Saturday night, the space will take on a more “club” vibe, with a DJ, catered food and maybe a movie.

“We may charge a nominal cover charge for Saturday nights, but the food will be included,” Paula said.

Two 16-year-olds, Sophia Stambaugh and Julian Gonzalez, gave a favorable thumbs-up to the lounge as they attended an informational open house

with her job at the school. She wants to have a place where the kids can hang out. I think it is really nice to bring this into town.”

Paula said teens from around the surrounding area will also be welcome at the lounge.

“We appreciate the community support,” Paula said. “We just want to create a safe place where kids can go and just be kids. We’re trying to keep the cost as minimal as we can for the kids.”

need to keep everyone safe. We will de-escalate anything that may come up.”

And the Porters are open to ideas and suggestions.

“We’re open to ideas and brainstorming with others,” Paula said. “This is a place where teenagers can come to and have fun and be teenagers without being judged.”

For more information, contact Paula Porter at pporter0702@yahoo.com.

on Sunday, Feb. 22.

“I am friends with the family,” Stambaugh said. “I think this will be very good for the community. It will be a place where you can be safe and express yourself however you want. Something new to do in town.”

Gonzalez echoed that sentiment.

“It’s nice to have a new thing to do,” he said. “It’s very exciting.”

The Porters’ children are also supporting the task.

“I am really excited to see where she takes this,” said daughter Skyler Kelley, 24. “She [Paula] is very enthusiastic

Teens will check into the lounge at the reception desk, and each will have contact cards in case parents or guardians need to be reached. They will also check out when they leave, Paula said.

“I want them to be accountable,” Paula said. “This will be a safe place for everybody. It’s all about communication. We will definitely work with parents.”

She has also been in contact with city and police officials, as well as the Ogle County Health Department. No alcohol, tobacco or vaping will be allowed at the venue.

“We will always have two adults on site,” Paula said. “Police will be welcome to walk through at any time. We

After Teen Lounge wishlist

Study area: School supplies, charging station equipment, large rugs, emergency door alarm, large neon blackboard

Kitchen area: Large stand-up cooler, deep freeze, three-tub kitchen sink, hand-washing sink, two pizza ovens

Arcade area: Poker table, arcade games, dart boards, camera system, new carpet for side state room, virtual reality system, 8-foot pool table, four to six large garbage cans

Monthly costs: Rent, $1,500; Frontier, $220; insurance, $420 (estimated); ComEd, $580; Nicor, $600; and water, $55.

Memories from Polo High School Class of 1950

Recently, I received a call that Dick Unger from our Class of 1950 had died in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

He had been living in Clark Community Retirement Home. I talked with his son for a long time, and then I had my daughter look for his obituary.

It was not yet there, but a video had been done a few years ago, and it was excellent to watch as Dick reminisced about his service to our nation in the Air Force.

The Air Force wanted him to enlist again, but he had lost his first wife, Marilyn Bruce, to cancer during his service career. Marilyn was also from our class.

After a couple of years, Dick started writing Margaret Wilson, also from our class, who was a music teacher in Midland, Michigan. Dick said if anything was to happen between them, he needed to be in Midland, and he left the Air Force and went to Michigan.

After my phone call from Dick’s

LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS

POLO HISTORY

Betty Obendorf

son, I got out my high school reunion bag that held information about many of our reunions. I believe the last one was our 65th reunion, when we gathered at the museum for lunch and then went to our home for dinner in the evening.

I read through many obituaries of those not with us anymore, and I was amazed at what our class had accomplished over the years. I came across a booklet we had put together for our 40th year reunion in June 1990. We did four summaries of our years in high school and what was going on in Polo during those four years. They were most interesting, and so here they are. The first one is our freshman year.

Class of 1950

In September of 1946, around 70 freshmen entered P.C.H.S. with pep, enthusiasm, and interest. We all flocked to high school following an ad in the Tri-County Press, which listed the reasons as to why we needed to go there and what the school had to offer. Our parents are concerned about food prices. Ground beef, 39 cents a pound; bacon, 57 cents a pound; bread, two for 21 cents, and lettuce, 7 cents a head. Sept. 19th Miller’s Market has a sign that states, “Sorry, No Meat Today.” An ad in the paper says, “It may be possible to get you the so-called ‘Black Market’ meat to sell for 20 cents to 40 cents a pound higher. We believe you would not want that, so we are not bringing in meat that must be sold under the counter or out the back door. So we will say ‘Sorry, No Meat Today.’”

The movie some of us will remember playing at the new movie theater we had gotten a year before in Polo was

“The Outlaw” with Jane Russell. Comments by Shorty in the paper state, “Undefeated – yep, that’s the outcome of Polo’s second team. They’ve really been going to town these Monday nights. Looks bright for us in the next years at that rate.”

Dec. 19, 1946, the stage curtain burns at the high school, and Ned Parrett, Leslie Scott and Bob Breckenridge form a three-man bucket brigade while Willis Pittenger was having students leave.

A type of cartoon in the spring called “The Wasters,” stated, “Jane remembers the old superstition…three on a match is bad luck; walking under a ladder is bad luck…; but she remembers to save used cooking fat, which is lucky for the world starving for fats and oils.” Her can labeled “For Used Fat” is beside her stove. We were still saving from the war years.

• Betty Obendorf is a retired teacher and volunteer for the Polo Historical Society.

Leaf River Soaring Eagles help Lions Club with pizza fundraiser

The Leaf River Soaring Eagles 4-H Club helped the Leaf River Lions Club with their pizza fundraiser on Jan. 29. They made several deluxe, pepperoni, sausage and cheese pizzas. Members of the Lions Club and Leaf River Busy Beaver

4-H Club worked alongside the Leaf River Soaring Eagles 4-H Club members. Afterward, everyone was able to sample the pizzas.

Polo Area Community Theatre sets auditions for ‘Clue’

Polo Area Community Theatre will hold auditions for “Clue the Musical” on Saturday, Feb. 28, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Anyone 18 years or older is welcome and encouraged to audition. Those auditioning should prepare 32 bars of a ballad from a musical and bring audio accompaniment.

Auditions will be held at Polo Area Community Theatre’s home at the Old Polo Town Hall, 117 N. Franklin Ave., Polo. For more information and a breakdown of roles available, visit polotheatre.org.

Candice King speaks at 4-H youth workshop

Thirty-nine youths from Stephenson, Winnebago, Ogle, Boone and DeKalb counties attended a public speaking workshop Feb. 3 at the Machine Shed in Rockford.

This workshop helps youths learn new

techniques to prepare them for their counties’ upcoming public speaking contests.

This year, WTVO First Warn Weather meteorologist Candice King was the guest speaker. King discussed her role as a weather specialist and the importance of working through nerves and emotions to provide accurate weather information and warnings of severe weather threats. She mentioned that when she was first starting out, she had to work on gesturing with her hands, looking confident and using a strong voice to get her message across. The youths enjoyed learning about King and asked questions about her job and how she handled different situations, especially when the weather was close to home and affected her personally.

Kelly Lafferty, 4-H youth development educator for Jo Daviess, Stephenson and Winnebago counties, provided the welcome, introduced King, and promoted the counties’ public speaking contests.

Tally Lalor, 4-H program coordinator for

Boone County, provided icebreakers for the youths. Abigail Nelson, 4-H youth development educator for Boone, DeKalb and Ogle counties, assisted with the icebreakers and discussed the state 4-H public speaking contests.

Winnebago-Boone Farm Bureau Consumer Engagement Director Holly Wiltfang hosted the event and provided refreshments for the participants.

First Fridays Open Mic is March 6 in Oregon

The First Fridays Open Mic presents its monthly show at the Oregon VFW on Friday, March 6.

The show starts at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free, although a jar is available for donations. Performers can sign up for time slots on a first-come, first-served basis, so it’s best to arrive by 6 p.m. or earlier. Interested parties who have questions can contact Jerry Tice at 815-449-2660.

The VFW is located at 1310 W. Washington St. in Oregon. It provides ample parking, along with the availability of a restaurant and bar within the building. A fish fry runs from 4-8 p.m. – Shaw Local News Network

Firefighters battle hay bale fire between Oregon and Polo

By EARLEEN HINTON Shaw Local News Network correspondent

Firefighters from 13 departments battled a hay bale fire at a farm in the 6000 block of West Pines Road between Oregon and Polo on Monday afternoon.

“When we got here, a field was on fire and hay bales were on fire,” Polo Fire Chief Jim Ports said. “I don’t know what caused it yet.”

Ports said the fire affected 2 to 3 acres, but flames did not reach nearby farm buildings. He said no animals or fire -

fighters were injured.

The large hay bales were moved by farm tractors with bucket loader attachments as firefighters worked to pull apart the burning hay and douse it with water.

Because of the rural location, water tankers from area departments responded to the scene.

Ports said departments providing mutual aid were Sterling, Mt. Morris, Forreston, Dixon Rural, Franklin Grove, Oregon, Byron, Milledgeville, Leaf River, Chadwick, Amboy and Stillman Valley.

Warranty Deeds

• Russell D Konstans and Amy B Creuziger to Emmaline J Wald, 5770 S. Indian Trail, Rochelle, $307,500

• Adam S Meyer and Lori E Meyer to Renee Gehrke and Samuel Hildebrand, one parcel in Maryland Township: 03-32-100-005, $280,000

• Thomas J Atchison and Carol A Atchison to Bryce Allen Scheffler, 212 E. Blackhawk Drive, Byron, $67,500

• Edwin G Bauscher and Ann I Bauscher to Jacob A Swartz, 509 N. Division Ave., Polo, $130,000

• Edward L Kooken, Sonya M Gallegos-Kooken, and Sonya M Gallegos Kooken to Judith Vukovich, one parcel in Flagg Township: 24-23-485-009, $7,900

• Jason A Skinner and Jessica L Skinner to Taylor N Brubaker and Nicole A Brubaker, 1695 N. Sauk Trail, Oregon, $635,000

• Jakob Hughes and Cassandra Ann Hughes to Donna J Benhart, 112 N. Hannah Ave., Mt. Morris, $157,500

• Michael D Mcneely and Adam Crandall, 9259 E. Hayrack Trail, Stillman Valley, $670,000

Quit Claims

• Jose Lopez Jr to Stephanie P Arevalo, 150 S. Washington St., Rochelle, $0.00

• Carl Bell to Curb Appeal Real Estate Inc., one parcel in Monroe Township: 12-21-282-001, $19,900

• Angela C Adams to Jeremy J Adams, 524 N. 14th St., Rochelle, $0.00

• Wayne L Rummel and Cathy Rummel to Kevin E Rummel, one parcel in Maryland Township: 03-06-400-001, $0.00

• Creston Commons to HRE Builders LLC, two parcels in Dement Township: 25-23-405-002 and 25-23-405-004,

$0.00

• Stanley D Olson to Stanley D Olson and Stanley L Heng, 210 N. Etnyre Ave., Oregon, $0.00

Trustee’s Deeds

• Troy Atchison, trustee, Cori Atchison, trustee, Troy Atchison Trust, and Cori Atchison Trust to Bryce Allen Scheffler, 204 E. Blackhawk Drive, Byron, $67,500

Deeds in Trust

• Thomas A Corcoran and Michelle M Corcoran to Thomas A Corcoran, trustee, and Michelle M Corcoran, trustee, and Thomas A & Michelle M Corcoran Family Trust, one parcel in Monroe Township: 12-21-279-003, $0.00

• William R Baker and Linda S Baker to William R Baker, trustee, Linda S Baker, trustee, Baker Family Trust, one parcel in Monroe Township: 12-17-478-003, $0.00

• Daniel A Hoffman and Brandi A Hoffman to Danny A Hoffman, trustee, and Danny A Hoffman Trust, 712 N. Walnut Ave., Forreston, $0.00

• Daniel A Hoffman and Brandi A Hoffman to Judy L Hoffman, trustee, Judi L, trustee, and Judy L Hoffman Trust, 712 N. Walnut Ave., Forreston, $0.00

• Brian S Horner, Brian Horner, Jodi L Horner, and Jodi Horner to Robert B Borgen, trustee, and Robert B Borgen Rev Trust, 111 S. Division Ave., Polo, $40,000

• Brian S Horner and Jodi L Horner to Robert B Borgen, trustee, and Robert B Borgen Rev Trust, 110 S. Division Ave., Polo, $30,000

– Shaw Local News Network

LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS

Chana Play Day scholarships available for area students

The Chana Play Day committee has announced competition for several scholarships. The candidates must be high school graduates or the equivalent with ties to the Chana area.

Applicants who are current or former residents of Chana or who have parents or grandparents who attended Chana School or participated in Chana Play Day may apply. Two-time recipients are not eligible to reapply.

The scholarships will be awarded to the candidates who best meet and complete the requirements listed in the application.

Scholarship forms may be picked up at the Oregon High School guidance office or Stocking Equipment, 4 miles east of Oregon on Illinois Route 64.

Deliver or mail the applications to Ron Stocking, Stocking Equipment, 3749 E. Pine Rock Road, Oregon, IL 61061.

The completed application must be received by 5 p.m. Friday, March 13.

– Shaw Local News Network

Jury finds Mt. Morris man guilty of injuring officer

Sentencing set for April

By EARLEEN HINTON

Shaw Local News Network correspondent

A Mt. Morris man was found guilty Wednesday, Feb. 18, of one felony count of resisting arrest in connection with an August 2025 incident near the Oregon school campus.

An Ogle County jury found Franklin T. Houston, 28, previously of Rockford, guilty of the Class 4 felony offense of injuring a police officer while resisting arrest and the misdemeanor offenses of resisting a police officer and disorderly conduct following the two-day trial at the Ogle County Judicial Center in Oregon.

The six-woman, six-man jury found Houston not guilty of another felony count of injuring the same police officer during the same incident and misdemeanor criminal trespass.

The charges accused Houston of injuring Oregon Police Officer Breanna Wakeland while she was tyring to take him into custody on Aug. 22, 2025.

Court documents say Wakeland suffered a cut to her thumb and sprained her wrist while attempting to take Houston into custody with four other officers.

The misdemeanor charges accused Houston of trespassing when he entered the Oregon Elementary School at 1150 Jefferson St. after classes had ended.

The disorderly conduct charge accused him of alarming the school district’s cheerleading coach when she saw him sitting in a stall of a restroom in a girls locker room, claiming he was a student.

“He had no business being inside the girls locker room and he clearly alarmed the coach,” Assistant Ogle County State’s Attorney Matthew Leisten told jurors in his closing argument.

Leisten said Houston displayed “erratic behavior” and left the school on his bicycle before being approached by a police officer at the Oregon Park West skate park, located west of the elementary school. Leisten said Houston rode away from the officer, riding his bike through a nearby residential area before being stopped again at 14th Street.

He said Houston ignored repeated demands by police and his actions caused Wakeland to be injured when he

was taken into custody.

“The scratch on her thumb was caused by his conduct as he resisted arrest. It is clear he trespassed. He is guilty of all charges,” Leisten argued.

Assistant Ogle County Public Defender Brandon Gecan argued that Houston left the school building when he was told to leave by the coach.

“She didn’t say he seemed dangerous,” Gecan told the jurors, adding that Houston entered the school to use the bathroom and change clothes. “He left when he was told to leave.”

Gecan said Houston was first approached at the skate park by an officer who said he only wanted to speak with him in what Gecan called an “investigative stop”. He said it was clear, as indicated in body camera footage, that Houston did not want to talk to police.

When more officers arrived after Houston was stopped on his bike in the residential area, Houston became more “visibly agitated,” Gecan said.

“They said nothing and just started walking toward him,” Gecan said. “He even says ‘what are you doing?’ and Officer Wakeland says ‘You’re going to find out.’”

Gecan said Houston clutched his cellphone and went into a defensive “turtle-like” posture.

“He’s not doing anything aggressive to these officers at this time,” said Gecan. “I’m not saying they didn’t have the authority to do that, but I am saying maybe they could have gone about it in a different way. He’s curling up in a turtle shell.”

Gecan said Wakeland’s injuries were caused when she and four other police officers threw Houston to the ground to handcuff him and take him into custody.

Gecan said Houston had scrapes on his arms that were bleeding when he was booked into the Ogle County Jail.

Leisten disagreed.

“He knew what he did. He knew why police wanted to talk with him. His behavior constantly escalated and he repeatedly ignored their directions. It is clear he caused the officer’s injury,” said Leisten. “He should be found guilty of all charges.”

The jury deliberated for two hours and 30 minutes before reaching their verdict Wednesday afternoon.

Associate Judge Anthony Peska remanded Houston to the Ogle County Jail, ordered a presentencing report, and scheduled Houston’s sentencing hearing for 1:30 p.m. April 9.

Houston could be sentenced to one to six years in prison or probation and fined up to $25,000.

Judge rules against contempt order for teen’s phone access

By EARLEEN HINTON Shaw Local News Network correspondent

An Ogle County judge has denied a civil contempt of court petition filed against a Rochelle teenager for not providing prosecutors with a passcode for one of his two cellphones.

Associate Circuit Judge Anthony Peska ruled against the Ogle County State’s Attorney’s Office to hold Camren Hastings, 18, liable for indirect civil contempt of court, after a Thursday, Feb. 19, hearing.

“I don’t think you’ve met your burden of proof to hold him in contempt,” Peska told Assistant State’s Attorney Matthew Leisten at the end of Thursday’s petition hearing.

Hastings is charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm, a Class 1 felony, and aggravated use of a firearm as a person under the age of 21, a Class 4 felony.

Both charges were filed in connection with an Oct. 4, 2025, incident in which

Hastings is accused of firing a gun in the direction of a vehicle with a person inside.

Hastings has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges and has been held in the Ogle County Jail since his arrest in October.

Leisten filed a motion Dec. 2 asking the court to compel Hastings to provide access to one of two iPhones recovered from a search at Hastings’ home in the 400 block of Lake Lida Lane on Oct. 28.

Police said the October search warrant stemmed from an Oct. 4 evening incident in which “a vehicle had been shot approximately 13 times in the 100 block of Willis Avenue.”

At an Oct. 29 detention hearing, Leisten said Hastings was one of a group of 10 individuals walking on the street, shooting guns about 11:10 p.m. Another juvenile has been charged in connection with the incident, but juvenile charges and hearings are not open to the public.

Leisten said a passcode was needed to gain access to the iPhone, which had been recovered during a previous residential

search.

A Nov. 25 search warrant authorized law enforcement officers to press Hastings’ fingers on any Touch ID sensor of any Apple brand device to unlock it.

On Thursday, Rochelle Police Department Detective Matthew Wittenberg testified that Hastings had provided a passcode for only one of the Apple iPhones seized in the searches.

Wittenberg said he asked Hastings for the passcode again in January, and he did not comply.

“He said he did not remember the code,” Wittenberg testified.

The iPhone could not be unlocked using biometrics – a Touch ID sensor to unlock it, Wittenberg said.

Leisten argued that Hastings was “willfully disobeying” the court’s order.

Assistant Public Defender Eric Morrow disagreed, telling Peska that Hastings could not provide a passcode because he could not remember it.

Morrow said Hastings could not purge

himself of the contempt charge because he did not have the information to do so.

Leisten asked Peska to take away any “good conduct” credit being earned by Hastings while held in the Ogle County Jail until he provides the passcode.

Peska disagreed and denied the state’s petition, ruling that the state had not provided evidence to prove the phone belonged to Hastings.

The criminal case against Hastings was continued to 9 a.m. March 12. Morrow asked for that date to review more discovery evidence.

Hastings was remanded to the Ogle County Jail.

During an Oct. 29 hearing, Leisten said video footage obtained by officers showed four males and two females – some appearing to be juveniles – running into a nearby cornfield. He said it appeared that between 13 to 14 shots were fired at the vehicle during the incident and that police collected 12 bullet casings and two firearms near the scene.

Oregon School District celebrates award honorees

SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com

Oregon School District 220 recently announced that Courtney Gaulrapp has been named the Northwest Regional Teacher of the Year by the Illinois State Board of Education, the highest regional honor within Illinois’ Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year program.

This recognition represents one of the most prestigious honors awarded to educators in Illinois. As Northwest Regional Teacher of the Year, Gaulrapp now represents the region among the top educators in the state and will be honored at the statewide banquet later this spring.

“This is a significant moment for our district,” Superintendent PJ Caposey said. “When one of our own is named Northwest Regional Teacher of the Year, it affirms what we see every day – exceptional work happening in our classrooms and throughout our system. Courtney represents the best of what this profession can be: student-centered, relentless in pursuit of growth, and committed to

doing the hard work well.”

In addition to Gaulrapp’s recognition, five other OCUSD 220 team members and partners were honored through Illinois State Board of Education Those Who Excel awards. The 2026 honorees along with Gaulrapp include:

• Award of Excellence, Erin Moloney, student support personnel

• Award of Meritorious Service, Angela Wicklund, educational service personnel

• Awards of Special Recognition, Kip Crandall, school administrator; Mckenzie Dusing, early career educator; and Derrek Rufer, community volunteer

The Those Who Excel program recog-

•

nizes educators, administrators, support staff, and community partners across Illinois who demonstrate excellence, leadership, service and a meaningful impact on students and school communities.

Honorees are selected through a competitive statewide nomination and review process.

“Excellence is not accidental,” Caposey said. “It is the result of talented people who care deeply, hold high standards and show up consistently for kids. From classroom leadership to student support, from early career impact to community partnership, this group reflects the depth of commitment across

OCUSD. I could not be more proud.”

“These recognitions highlight the strength of OCUSD 220’s staff and the collaborative effort that drives student success across the district,” according to a district news release. “From classroom instruction to student services, administrative leadership and community involvement, each honoree plays a critical role in shaping positive educational experiences for students and families. OCUSD 220 congratulates each of these individuals for earning recognition at the state level and thanks them for their continued dedication to serving students and strengthening the Oregon community.”

• Beautiful suites completely furnished including TV and phone hookups

and

Program

• Increase or restore range of motion and strength

• Teach positioning, mobility, transfers and walking skills

• Reduce pain through use of modalities and adaptive equipment

• Improve cognitive and communication skills

• Promote safe swallowing

Man gets 5 years in prison for possessing cocaine

Charges followed search of Mt. Morris apartment

By EARLEEN HINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com

A Mt. Morris man was sentenced to five years in prison Thursday, Feb. 19, for possessing cocaine in May 2024.

Darren Barker, 55, pleaded guilty to the Class 1 felony and was sentenced by Ogle County Judge John “Ben” Roe through a plea agreement.

Barker was charged in May 2024 with possessing and intending to deliver between 15 and 100 grams of cocaine and

methamphetamine. He was arrested and charged with that Class X felonies after a police search of his apartment in the 100 block of East Front Street, Mt. Morris. He was also charged with possessing ammunition as a felon.

But those charges were dismissed Thursday after the Ogle County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a new Class 1 felony offense charging Barker with pos-

sessing between 15-100 grams of a substance containing cocaine.

The charges were levied after the Mt. Morris Police Department, assisted by the Oregon Police Department, executed a search warrant at Barker’s residence at 9:20 p.m. May 27, 2024, following an investigation that police said lasted several months.

Leisten said Barker’s criminal history included charges of domestic battery, resisting arrest, and other drug offenses.

Barker must serve 50% of his sentence, which includes 12 months of Mandatory Supervised Release, formerly known as parole, upon his release.

Jazwiec asked Roe to include in the sentencing information that the crime was the result of substance abuse and asked that Barker be placed in a substance abuse program during his time in prison.

Class 1 felonies are punishable by 4-15 years in prison.

On Thursday, Assistant State’s Attorney Matthew Leisten and Barker’s attorney, Glenn Jazwiec, told Roe that a plea agreement had been reached. Through the agreement, Barker, who has been held in the Ogle County Jail since his arrest, was sentenced to five years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, with credit for 633 days served.

Six-year prison term for Mt. Morris man in drug case

Lowtharp pleads guilty to shoving officer

By EARLEEN HINTON Shaw Local News Network correspondent

A man who fled from police while carrying 27 grams of methamphetamine, shoved a police officer and injured another officer while being apprehended during a June 2024 incident was sentenced to prison Thursday.

David D. Lowtharp, 57, of Mt. Morris, pleaded guilty Thursday, Feb. 19, to four of the charges levied against him and was sentenced to six years in the Illinois Department of Corrections through a plea agreement approved by Ogle County Judge John “Ben” Roe. Lowtharp was charged in June 2024 with possessing, with the intent to deliver, 15 to 100 grams of methamphetamine and 15 to 100 grams of cocaine, aggravated assault and aggravated battery to a police officer, and resisting arrest that led to the injury of a police

David D. Lowtharp

officer. Lowtharp was charged after being arrested by Mt. Morris police at 5:30 a.m. June 1, 2024, for disobeying a stoplight in the 100 block of East Hitt Street, also known as State Route 64.

According to a news release issued at that time by Mt. Morris police, Lowtharp fled from the officer in a southeastern direction but later was found in the 200 block of East Main Street, where the officer tried to take Lowtharp into custody and a physical struggle ensued.

With assistance from the Ogle County Sheriff’s Office, Lowtharp was arrested, taken into custody and transported to the Ogle County Jail.

According to court documents, Lowtharp shoved Mt. Morris Police Officer Cassie Rogers and swung a 2-by-4foot piece of wood during the physical struggle.

He was also charged with resisting arrest and injuring Ogle County Deputy Joshua Lee, who assisted at the scene. In that charge, Lowtharp was accused of physically struggling with the deputy and injuring him.

On Thursday, Assistant State’s Attorney Allison Huntley and Barker’s attorney, Glenn Jazwiec, told Roe that a plea agreement had been reached wherein Lowtharp would plead guilty to four of the initial 17 charges and the remaining charges would be dismissed.

Lowtharp pleaded guilty to possessing 15-100 grams of methamphetamine, aggravated battery to a police officer, and resisting a police officer while causing injury. He also pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of methamphetamine (less than 5 grams) during a May 4, 2024, incident.

Through the plea agreement, Lowtharp, who has been held in the Ogle County Jail since his arrest, was sentenced to concurrent six-year sentences in the Illinois Department of Corrections for possession of methamphet-

amine and aggravated battery and three years in prison for resisting arrest.

He was also sentenced to three years in prison for the May 2024 possession charge. All of the sentences will be served concurrently, with Lowtharp receiving credit for 628 days already served.

He was also sentenced to 180 days in jail for obstructing a police officer, but that sentence was satisfied by his days already served in jail. Fines and costs totaling $9,345 were also waived by the court.

Huntley said Lowtharp had 27 grams of methamphetamine when he was apprehended, but had no record of being a convicted felon.

Lowtharp must serve 50% of his sentence, which includes 12 months of Mandatory Supervised Release, formerly known as parole, upon his release.

Jazwiec asked Roe to include in the sentencing information that the crimes were the result of alcohol and/or substance abuse and asked that Lowtharp be placed in a substance abuse program during his time in prison.

Whirlwind of activity with high school sports

SPORTS VIEWS

Andy Colbert

I’m back on the beat after extensive travel outside the country. With such a whirlwind of sports activity this time of year, my apologies for no column last week.

The area boys Class 2A basketball regionals will be unique in lack of clear-cut favorites leading up to the Mendota sectional.

Take for example, Erie-Prophetstown. As a No. 5 sub-sectional seed, they beat higher-seeded Oregon and Byron in recent weeks.

Throw Rockford Lutheran, Winnebago, Johnsburg, Richmond-Burton, Aurora Christian and of course, Mendota, into the mix and we’re looking at a real free-for-all.

Whoever emerges from that bunch will likely face Peoria Manual, who is a clear-cut favorite in its sectional complex, for the right to advance to Champaign.

If 1A boys basketball is more to your liking, a potential sectional final match-up is No. 1 seeds Dakota and Sterling Newman. Both are ranked in the top 10 in the final AP poll.

Lurking in the background is dangerous Eastland, who beat favored Pecatonica in the sectional final last year with slow-down tactics. That completely flustered Pec and bolstered the cause for shot clock implementation (effective 2026-27) by the IHSA.

You have to like the Byron (28-2) girls’ chances to advance not only to the super-sectional, but make it downstate. The final AP poll has them No. 2 in the state, behind Nashville.

Individual state wrestling finished up last week with only a couple Class 1A champs (Newman and Le-Win/Stockton) from the area. There was a time when the northwest part of the state would claim at least half of the titles.

Coal City, which qualified all 14 of its wrestlers, albeit from a weak sectional, managed to earn 7 state medals and will be the favorite over Le-Win/ Stockton at the dual-team state tournament.

When it was a two-class system, the dual meet had some excitement to it. With 3 classes, 1A is so watered down, that other than Coal City, everyone else struggles to fill out a quality

14-man roster. That’s not state-worthy competition. Even the 2A state duals can be weak.

One IHSA tourney that you have to be on your A-game to win is in bowling, like Sterling’s Sarah Doughty did. One of her 3-game series was an 800 on Friday, which is No. 1 all-time for the girls.

Overall, she averaged 230 for 12 games, winning quite handily.

Perhaps the most difficult IHSA honor to pull off is making the All-Academic team, of which 26 boy and girl athletes are honored. Congratulations to Sarah Eckardt of Oregon for landing this prestigious award.

“The students named to the IHSA All-State Academic Team embody what education-based athletics and activities are all about,” said IHSA Assistant Executive Director Stacy Lambert. “They have challenged themselves in the classroom, committed to their teams and organizations, and found ways to give back to their schools and

communities. Excelling at such a high level in all of these areas requires discipline and heart, and we are incredibly proud to recognize them as representatives of the IHSA and the state of Illinois.”

As Thomas Hammock leaves NIU to become the running back coach for Super Bowl champion Seattle, I will miss his friendly personality. Covering many of his press conferences, I found Hammock to be a genuine human being, not one of those marketed, slick coach talkers.

A movement afoot is for Huskie legend Jordan Lynch to take over. Lynch is coaching at Chicago Mt. Carmel, the top football program in the state.

That would be a huge jump, going right from high school to a D-I head coach job. Some of you old-timers will remember the name Gerry Faust, who went from a successful parochial coaching job (Moeller in Ohio) like Lynch, to take the head coaching position at Notre Dame in the early 1980s.

That experiment didn’t go as well as Notre Dame hoped and Faust was eventually fired after compiling a 30-26 record. And back then, college football was much easier to navigate than it is now with NIL, transfer portals and conference realignments.

The Winter Olympics have come and gone. Watching them always gives me hope for a true brotherhood among all nations. Additionally, in my travels around Central America and South America last week, I had the chance to see so many good-hearted people, who I would enjoy being neighbors with.

My hope is that we in the U.S. don’t become too exclusive in who can be here and who can’t. And, it could be a selfish motive on my part, as I want more hardworking, law-abiding, family-oriented people to keep our country going.

• Andy Colbert is a sports writer for Shaw Local covering high school sports in Ogle County.

STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

OGLE COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF RUTH L. STAUFFER, Deceased IN PROBATE NO. 2026PR11

CLAIM NOTICE

L. Stauffer. Letters of office were issued on February 3, 2026, to Karen M. Dickinson of 9069 North Main St, Leaf River, IL 61047, and Ronald N. Stauffer of 8529

representative and to the attorney within ten days after it has been filed.

ILLINOIS POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD

STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OGLE COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF RUTH L. STAUFFER, Deceased IN PROBATE NO. 2026PR11 CLAIM NOTICE Notice is given of the death of Ruth L. Stauffer. Letters of office were issued on February 3, 2026, to Karen M. Dickinson of 9069 North Main St, Leaf River, IL 61047, and Ronald N. Stauffer of 8529 IL RT 64 W, Polo IL 61064, as Independent Co-Executors, whose attorney is Plager, Krug, Bauer, Rudolph & Stodde n, Ltd., 10 N Galena Avenue, P.O Box 839, Freeport, IL 61032. Claims against the estate may be filed in the office of the clerk of the court, or with the representative, or both, on or before August 13, 2026, or within 3 months from date of mailing or delivery of notice to creditors, if required by Section 18-3 of the Illinois Probate Act of 1975, as amended, whichever date is later Any claim not filed on or before that date is barred. Copies of a claim filed with the Clerk must be mailed or delivered to the representative and to the attorney within ten days after it has been filed. E-filing is now mandatory for documents in civil cases with limited exemptions. To e-file, you must first create an account with an e-filing service provider Visit

IL RT 64 W, Polo IL 61064, as Independent Co-Executors, whose attorney is Plager, Krug, Bauer, Rudolph & Stodde n, Ltd., 10 N Galena Avenue, P.O Box 839, Freeport, IL 61032. Claims against the estate may be filed in the office of the clerk of the court, or with the representative, or both, on or before August 13, 2026, or within 3 months from date of mailing or delivery of notice to creditors, if required by Section 18-3 of the Illinois Probate Act of 1975, as amended, whichever date is later Any claim not filed on or before that date is barred.

Copies of a claim filed with the Clerk must be mailed or delivered to the representative and to the attorney within ten days after it has been filed.

E-filing is now mandatory for documents in civil cases with limited exemptions. To e-file, you must first create an account with an e-filing service provider Visit https://efile.illinois courts.gov/serviceproviders to learn more and to select a service provider

clerk of the court, or with the representative, or both, on or before August 13, 2026, or within 3 months from date of mailing or delivery of notice to creditors, if required by Section 18-3 of the Illinois Probate Act of 1975, as amended, whichever date is later Any claim not filed on or before that date is barred. Copies of a claim filed with the Clerk must be mailed or delivered to the representative and to the attorney within ten days after it has been filed.

Notice is given of the death of Ruth L. Stauffer. Letters of office were issued on February 3, 2026, to Karen M. Dickinson of 9069 North Main St, Leaf River, IL 61047, and Ronald N. Stauffer of 8529 IL RT 64 W, Polo IL 61064, as Independent Co-Executors, whose attorney is Plager, Krug, Bauer, Rudolph & Stodde n, Ltd., 10 N Galena Avenue, P.O Box 839, Freeport, IL 61032. Claims against the estate may be filed in the office of the clerk of the court, or with the representative, or both, on or before August 13, 2026, or within 3 months from date of mailing or delivery of notice to creditors, if required by Section 18-3 of the Illinois Probate Act of 1975, as amended, whichever date is later Any claim not filed on or before that date is barred. Copies of a claim filed with the Clerk must be mailed or delivered to the representative and to the attorney within ten days after it has been filed.

E-filing is now mandatory for documents in civil cases with limited exemptions. To e-file, you must first create an account with an e-filing service provider Visit https://efile.illinois courts.gov/serviceproviders to learn more and to select a service provider If you need additional help or have trouble e-filing, visit https://illinois courts.gov/FAQ/ gethelp.

Kimberly Stahl Circuit Clerk

Nicole M. Bauer, #6236680

If you need additional help or have trouble e-filing, visit https://illinois courts.gov/FAQ/ gethelp

Kimberly Stahl Circuit Clerk

E-filing is now mandatory for documents in civil cases with limited exemptions. To e-file, you must first create an account with an e-filing service provider Visit https://efile.illinois courts.gov/serviceproviders to learn more and to select a service provider If you need additional help or have trouble e-filing, visit https://illinois courts.gov/FAQ/ gethelp

Kimberly Stahl Circuit Clerk

Nicole M. Bauer, #6236680 Plager, Krug, Bauer, Rudolph & Stodden, Ltd. Attorneys for Petitioner Lincoln-Douglas Center 10 North

E-filing is now mandatory for documents in civil cases with limited exemptions. To e-file, you must first create an account with an e-filing service provider Visit https://efile.illinois courts.gov/serviceproviders to learn more and to select a service provider If you need additional help or have trouble e-filing, visit https://illinois courts.gov/FAQ/ gethelp.

Kimberly Stahl Circuit Clerk

Nicole M. Bauer, #6236680

Plager, Krug, Bauer, Rudolph & Stodden, Ltd. Attorneys for Petitioner

Lincoln-Douglas Center 10 North Galena Avenue Post Office Box 839 Freeport, IL 61032-0839 (815) 235-1212

E-mail: nbauer@ plager-law.com

February 13, 20, 27, 2026

Advertise your job openings here! 815-526-4645

Plager, Krug, Bauer, Rudolph & Stodden, Ltd. Attorneys for Petitioner

Lincoln-Douglas Center 10 North Galena Avenue Post Office Box 839 Freeport, IL 61032-0839 (815) 235-1212

E-mail: nbauer@ plager-law.com

February 13, 20, 27, 2026

Nicole M. Bauer, #6236680

Plager, Krug, Bauer, Rudolph & Stodden, Ltd.

Attorneys for Petitioner

Lincoln-Douglas Center 10 North Galena Avenue Post Office Box 839 Freeport, IL 61032-0839

(815) 235-1212

E-mail: nbauer@ plager-law.com

February 13, 20, 27, 2026

NOTICE OF PROPOSED STIPULATION AND PROPOSAL FOR SE TT LEMENT OF ENFORCEMEN T CASE

The Attorney General has brought a case against Paragon Pork, Inc and Kintzle Construction, Inc. for violating State pollution control rules. On February 6, 2026, the parties filed a stipulation and proposal for settlement as to Kinzie Construction only. The parties agree that a hearing is unnecessary, and in accordance with State law, have requested that the settlement be adopted without holding a public hearing Any person who would like to comment on, or demand a public hearing on, the stipulation and proposal for settlement may do so by filing a written comment or hearing demand with the Illinois Pollution Control Board within 30 days after the publication of this notice. The written comment or hearing demand must refer: People of the State of Illinois v Paragon Pork, Inc. and Kintzle Construction, Inc., PCB 26-33, and must be filed with the Clerk of the Illinois Pollution Control Board, 60 East Van Buren, Suite 630, Chicago, Illinois 60605. Additional information can be obtained through the Office of the Clerk at 312/814-3461 and the Board?s website at https:// pcb.illinois. gov/. Barbara Flynn Currie Chairman February 27, 2026

The Attorney General has brought a case against Paragon Pork, Inc. and Kintzle Construction, Inc. for violating State pollution control rules. On February 6, 2026, the parties filed a stipulation and proposal for settlement as to Kinzie Construction only. The parties agree that a hearing is unnecessary, and in accordance with State law, have requested that the settlement be adopted without holding a public hearing Any person who would like to comment on, or demand a public hearing on, the stipulation and proposal for settlement may do so by filing a written comment or hearing demand with the Illinois Pollution Control Board within 30 days after the publication of this notice. The written comment or hearing demand must refer: People of the State of Illinois v Paragon Pork, Inc. and Kintzle Construction, Inc., PCB 26-33, and must be filed with the Clerk of the Illinois Pollution Control Board, 60 East Van Buren, Suite 630, Chicago, Illinois 60605 Additional information can be obtained through the Office of the Clerk at 312/814-3461 and the Board?s website at https:// pcb.illinois. gov/ Barbara Flynn Currie Chairman February 27, 2026

Forreston downs Milledgeville

Forreston fought back from an early deficit to beat Millegeville 61-44 during 1A regional action at Forreston High School on Monday.

West Carroll edges Polo

West Carroll held off a late surge by Polo to win 49-44 in 1A regional action on Monday, Feb. 23.

Oregon wrestlers bring home 2 state medals

By RANDY HOLLAND

Shaw Local News Network correspondent

The Oregon wrestling team sent two wrestlers to the State Individual Finals at the State Farm Center in Champaign last Thursday through Saturday and both came home with medals.

Nelson Benesh took a tough loss in the 138-pound quarterfinal, had a pin and a win in consolation and came back to avenge his quarterfinal loss and take the fifth-place medal.

At 126, Isaiah Perez lost his firstround match by a technical fall but won the next three to wrestle in the fifth-place match, where he was defeated, finishing sixth.

Benesh opened with a 20-5 technical fall, finishing the match with a fourpoint cradle at 4:28. In the quarterfinal against Luke Munsterman of Coal City, Benesh scored first on an escape but gave up an escape and a takedown in the third to lose 4-1.

Benesh had lost to Munsterman by the same score earlier in the season. In the second round of consolation, Benesh lost the first takedown but came back with a takedown to the back for a fall at 4:26, sending Michael Aukes of Marengo home.

Benesh needed one more win to get in the medal mix. He met Brody Matthews of Vandalia in the consolation quarterfinal. Benesh started with a takedown in a cradle, but no backpoints. He lost two escapes in the second period but got a spinning takedown.

Benesh switched out for an escape in the third, caught a heel pick for a takedown and went on to win 10-4. In the wrestleback semifinal, Devin Ehler of Oakwood-Salt Fork scored two takedowns on Benesh before he hooked up a half nelson and pinned at 3:37, sending the Oregon wrestler to the fifthplace match. Ehler was a sectional champion and finished third.

In the fifth-place match, Benesh met up with Munsterman again. Munsterman had lost 7-0 in the championship semifinal and 9-2 in the consolation semifinal. Benesh jumped out to a 3-0 first-period lead with a hard fought single leg takedown.

He escaped in the second, caught a heel pick for a takedown and picked up a stalling point and he went on to win 8-1.

“That is the fifth time I wrestled that guy, and the first four were 4-1 scores. I only won one of those. It was great to break the string and move him down the podium,” Benesh said.

Perez opened with eventual state champion Preston Waughtel of Vandalia, losing a 17-0 technical fall at 2:12.

In the first consolation match, Perez had a takedown and reverse to the back at the first period buzzer and finished a 21-5 technical fall over Gage Martin of Gibson City with a takedown to the back at 3:51. In the second round, Perez reversed to start the second and gave up a stalling point in the third, holding on for a long minute to beat Zhyler Hansen of Sterling Newman 2-1.

In the consolation quarterfinal, Perez met sectional champion Alexander Ferrari of Lisle. Ferrari scored first with an escape and takedown in the sec-

ond period. Perez stood for an escape later in the period and scored another escape in the last second of the match under a smothering ride by Ferrari to drop a 4-2 decision.

In the fifth-place match against Alden Bell of Hoopeston, Perez lost three takedowns, one a throw to his back for four points after Perez drove in trying for a takedown, and the Oregon sophomore had to settle for sixth with a 15-2 loss. Perez said he was happy to medal and will be more ready next year.

“I am glad there are no more weighins. I am going to go home and get big.”

When asked what that meant, he said, “I will probably be 132 next year.”

Head coach Justin Lahman was happy with the two medals.

“This is the first time we have had a medalist in years. To get two is great. We really have something to build on

for next year.”

Wrestlers from the Byron sectional accounted for 23 of the 84 medals awarded in Class 1A, including four champions and four runners-up. Champions from Byron were Landon Near from Sterling Newman at 113 pounds, Wesley Janik from Ottawa Marquette at 120 pounds, Cooper Corder from Sandwich at 150 pounds, and Eli Larson of Lena-Winslow-Stockton at 190 pounds.

Finishing second were August Swanson of Princeton at 113, Charlie Connors of Dixon at 144, Casey Etheridge of Princeton at 165, and Jeremiah Luke from Lena at 285.

Brody Stein and Will Julian of Byron both finished fourth, as did Cam Whitehead of Winnebago. Caleb Reymer of Erie was third at 285, and Preston Richards of Dixon was fourth at 150.

SPORTS

TODAY IN SPORTS HISTORY

1901: National League Rules Committee for baseball decrees that all fouls are to count as strikes except after two strikes.

1963: Mickey Mantle of the New York Yankees signs a baseball contract worth $100,000.

OGLE COUNTY SPORTS ROUNDUP

Regional battles shape basketball seasons

By DRAKE LANSMAN dlansman@shawmedia.com

Monday, Feb. 16

Girls basketball

Stillman Valley 54, Oregon 33: Sarah Eckardt and Aniyah Sarver each scored 13 points for the fifth-seeded Hawks in the 2A Winnebago Regional semifinal setback. Dailene Wade led the Cardinals with 22 points. Oregon (18-14) finished with its first winning season since going 19-12 in 2014 under Kristy Eckardt.

Tuesday, Feb. 17

Boys basketball

Oregon 72, Forreston 53: Keaton Salsbury scored 17 points while Benny Olalde and Nole Campos each scored 13. Brian Wallace added 11 more in the Hawks’ win. Connor Politsch led Forreston with 17 points and Mickey Probst had 11.

Polo 48, Morrison 31: JT Stephenson led the Marcos with 18 points and Eli Perez had 10 in the home win. Polo led 22-13 at halftime.

Regional Girls basketball

In a competitive game between two 20-plus win teams, Bureau Valley’s balance, defense and rebounding made the difference in a 67-48 victory over Polo in a Class 1A Galva Regional semifinal.

Libby Endress led BV (23-9) with 18 points, going 6 of 6 at the free-throw line and grabbing 11 rebounds. She also converted two three-point plays in the fourth quarter as the Storm outscored the Marcos (20-10) 16-5 in the fourth quarter.

Endress said containing Polo’s alltime leading scorer Camrynn Jones, along with fellow senior Carlee Grobe, was the key. The Marcos were coming off an 83-35 win over Galva to open the postseason.

Jones scored 23 points, Grobe had 11 and Elsa Monaco added 10, but the senior-led Marcos struggled to rebound and keep up with the Storm offensively.

While Polo doesn’t have much size

Oregon’s Benny Olalde drives in for a lay up against Forreston on Tuesday, Feb. 17, at the Blackhawk Center in Oregon.

either, Jones thought the Storm just wanted it more.

“They were ‘go get it’ the whole time. We kind of came in and out each quarter,” Jones said. “You’ve got to have the heart all four quarters, and that’s something we’ve kind of struggled with all year. We just didn’t get it done.

“They wanted that game more than we did, I think, is what it just comes down to. Very good team.”

Polo coach Jason Grobe said the team tried to get more drives to the basket, but the shots just weren’t falling.

He said it was also tough to box out while playing a zone defense.

“That gave us the best chance I thought today, was staying in that zone,” Grobe said. “It’s just one of those things we have to get better at in the future.”

Grobe said getting back to 20 wins was big for the team. He’s watched the starting group of five seniors, including his daughter, grow up before his eyes.

Polo won a regional title in their freshman year. As seniors, the Marcos had 20 wins for the first time since 2008 under Cliff Bardell.

“They’re going to be destined for great things in the future,” Grobe said. “It was a pleasure to be able to coach them for the last four years.”

Monday, Feb. 23

Forreston 61, Milledgeville 44: The Cardinals advanced to face Annawan in Wednesday’s 1A Alleman Regional semifinal at 7:30 p.m.

West Carroll 49, Polo 40: A Marcos surge late in the game fell short as they fell to the Thunder to advance to the 1A Manlius (Bureau Valley) Regional on Wednesday.